Necktie

ABSTRACT

A necktie includes a wide blade, a narrow blade, and a knot portion that connects the wide blade and the narrow blade to each other. A first colored portion of the knot portion has a structure different from a structure of a second colored portion of the wide blade or a structure of a third colored portion of the narrow blade. The first colored portion includes first colored extension portions at both ends thereof, the first colored extension portions respectively extending into the second colored portion and the third colored portion so as to form triangular shapes. A triangle vertex of one of the first colored extension portions on the narrow blade side is positioned on a center line of the narrow blade.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to, in some preferred embodiments, anecktie that is distinguishable and decorative and that produces uniqueeffects and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, neckties having various structures, functions andcharacteristics are provided to satisfy personal preferences, to makethe neckties distinguishable, to follow traditions, to ensureconsistency or the like. However, in general a necktie on the whole hasa single color or pattern or is made from a single type of fabric, withthe result that the necktie is not particularly distinguishable fromother neckties. Therefore, for example, there can be a problem in thatsuch a necktie may not be distinguishable, not attractive, or may failto satisfy personal preferences.

To solve the foregoing problem, the present applicant developed animproved necktie described in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011-117106 (the JP '106 application). In the necktie ofthe JP '106 application, a colored portion of a knot portion has astructure that is different from colored portions of the wide and narrowblades of the necktie. Thus, the necktie of the JP '106 applicationprovided improvements in, for example, distinguishability,attractiveness, and personal preference satisfaction, which were notpreviously fulfilled by existing neckties.

However, with the necktie described in the JP '106 application, only aninitial object of using the colored portion of the knot portion isachieved. Therefore, the present inventor has determined that it isdesirable to further improve the necktie. Another document in therelated art is Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3132221 (the JP'221 registration) which describes a necktie related to such animprovement. In the necktie of the '221 JP registration, a coloredportion of a wide blade has a color that is different from that of acolored portion extending from a knot portion to a narrow blade, and,therefore, the wide blade has a color that is different from that of theknot portion and the narrow blade. Thus, improvements indistinguishability, attractiveness, the ability to mach a person'staste, and the like can be achieved. However, as with the necktiedescribed in the JP '106 application, the present inventor determinedthat it was still desirable to further improve upon such neckties.

The various embodiments of the present invention improve upon theabove-noted and/or other related art and overcome the above-noted and/orother problems in the related art.

SUMMARY

The preferred embodiments overcome the above and/or other problems inthe background art. In view of the foregoing, the preferred embodimentsof the present invention provide a necktie having structures asdescribed herein-below.

According some embodiments of the present invention, a necktie isprovided that includes, for example, a wide blade, a narrow blade, and aknot portion that connects the wide blade and the narrow blade to eachother. A first colored portion of the knot portion has a structuredifferent from a structure of a second colored portion of the wide bladeor a structure of a third colored portion of the narrow blade. The firstcolored portion includes first colored extension portions at both endsthereof, the first colored extension portions respectively extendinginto the second colored portion and the third colored portion so as toform triangular shapes. A triangle vertex of one of the first coloredextension portions on the narrow blade side is positioned on a centerline of the narrow blade.

According to some preferred examples, a necktie according to someembodiments preferably includes the following characteristics [1] to[6].

[1] The design and distinguishability of the necktie are improvedwithout changing the traditional characteristics and decoration as anecktie—that is, not by changing the wide blade but by improvingportions that do not affect the value of the necktie. Moreover, the knotportion is highlighted and accentuated; in addition, tastefulness,uniqueness, safety, and the like can be provided.

[2] While ensuring new characteristics of the necktie, other functions,such as ease with which the necktie is worn, neatness, and smoothness(e.g., avoidance of unsuccessful tying of the necktie) can be ensured.

[3] Because a first colored portion is formed in a region correspondingto a knot, a user can easily visually identify a location of a referencepoint for wearing the necktie. Therefore, virtually anybody can easilyand neatly wear the necktie so that the wide blade and/or the narrowblade will have a normal length.

[4] In circumstances in which the necktie does not have a pattern, auser can wear the necktie without worrying about a smear in the knot,which is a part of the necktie. Therefore, trouble due to such smearingin the vicinity of the knot can be avoided.

[5] Because the first colored portion is included in the knot portion,which becomes voluminous when the necktie is worn, the knot is providedwith a voluminous appearance and a second accent and a secondhighlighted portion connected to the wide blade can be generated.

[6] Due to the characteristics described above, the necktie can be morefrequently worn. Therefore, the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention can contribute to increases in demand and/or employment and tothe development of industry.

In some preferred embodiments, the necktie can be tied regularly bypositioning the triangle vertex of the first colored extension portionon the narrow blade side on the center line of the narrow blade.

In this case, the necktie preferably also has the followingcharacteristic [7], in addition to the above-discussed characteristics[1] to [6].

[7] The triangle vertex of the first colored extension portion on thenarrow blade side has a structure that is the most appropriate forachieving [1].

In some preferred embodiments, in the necktie, the first colored portionand the second colored portion can have different colors, differentwoven patterns, or combinations of different colors and different wovenpatterns, or the first colored portion and the second colored portionscan be made from different types of fabric.

In this case, the necktie preferably also has the followingcharacteristic [8], in addition to the above-discussed characteristics[1] to [6].

[8] The first colored portion and the second colored portion havestructures that are the most appropriate for achieving [1].

In some preferred embodiments, in the necktie, the triangular shape ofthe one of the first colored extension portions extending into the thirdcolored portion can be positioned in a vicinity of a bias sewn portionthat connects a neck-surrounding portion and the narrow blade to eachother.

In this case, the necktie has the following characteristic [9], inaddition to the above-discussed characteristics [1] to [6].

[9] The first colored portion and the third colored portion A havestructures that are most appropriate for achieving [1].

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of variousembodiments will be further appreciated in view of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Variousembodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, featuresand/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments cancombine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments whereapplicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages ofparticular embodiments should not be construed as limiting otherembodiments or the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way ofexample, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a necktie according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an initial step of a preferredmethod of tying the necktie according to some embodiments, in which atriangle vertex at the other end of a knot portion is placed on a centerline of a second end portion of a narrow blade and the necktie isstarted to be tied around a neck;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a necktie in a stepsubsequent to that of FIG. 2, in which the knot portion is placed on theback surface of the narrow blade;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating a necktie in a stepsubsequent to that of FIG. 4, in which the knot portion is wound aroundthe narrow blade from the back surface toward the front surface of thenarrow blade and the wide blade is placed under a neck-surroundingportion;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequentto that of FIG. 5 and prior to being worn around a neck, in which a partof the wide blade is inserted into the knot portion, which has beenwound around the narrow blade;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a necktie in a step subsequentto that of FIG. 6 and after being worn around a neck, in whichsubstantially the entirety of the wide blade is inserted into the knotportion, which has been wound around the narrow blade;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a personwearing a dress shirt has finished wearing a necktie according to somepreferred embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a personwearing a suit and a dress shirt has finished wearing the necktieaccording to some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, some preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed. While the present invention may be embodied in many differentforms, the illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples of the principles of the invention and that suchexamples are not intended to limit the invention to preferredembodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a necktie 1 includes a wideblade 2, a narrow blade 3, and a knot portion 5 (that extends within thewide blade 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and that is used to create aneck-surrounding portion 500 as shown in FIG. 5) that connects the wideblade 2 and the narrow blade 3 to each other. Thus, in this example, thewide blade 2 includes the knot portion 5, and the wide blade 2 isconnected to the narrow blade 3 through a bias sewn portion 6. In otherwords, the wide blade 2 and the narrow blade 3 are integrated with eachother by using the bias sewn portion 6. When a user wears the necktie 1,the position of the knot portion 5 substantially corresponds to that ofthe user's neck, and the knot portion 5 creates the so-calledneck-surrounding portion 500. In some preferred embodiments, the necktie1 according to the present invention can have an ordinary structure inwhich the knot portion 5 is made from a piece of bias cloth, such as,e.g., illustrated in FIG. 1 of Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006-144212.

In some embodiments, the necktie 1 is sewn together by using, forexample, the method described below. In this regard, the wide blade 2can be formed by sewing a piece of cloth (not shown) that has asubstantially pen-nib like shape (e.g., having a tapered or chiseled endsimilar to the writing tip or nib of a fountain pen) and that includes abias-cut portion.

In the preferred embodiments, the necktie 1 includes a first coloredportion A that is formed in the knot portion 5 of the wide blade 2 andthat extends from a region in the vicinity of the bias sewn portion 6towards the distal first end 1 a of the necktie 1 (i.e., extending inthe X direction shown in FIG. 1) and to the neck-surrounding portion500. In the preferred embodiments, the first colored portion A isdifferent (e.g., having a different color) from a second colored portionB of the wide blade 2.

In the preferred embodiments, the first colored portion A of the knotportion 5 is formed so as to include a triangular first coloredextension portion AA1 having a triangle vertex 5 a at one end of thefirst colored portion A (i.e., extending towards the distal first end 1a of the necktie as shown in FIG. 1) and a triangular first coloredextension portion AA2 having a triangle vertex 5 b at the other end ofthe first colored portion A (i.e., extending towards a second end 1 b ofthe necktie 1 as shown in FIG. 1). In this manner, the triangular firstcolored extension portion AA1 extends into the second colored portion Band the first colored extension portion AA2 extends into a third coloredportion C as indicated by arrows AAA1 and AAA2 shown in FIG. 1.Accordingly, the areas of the second colored portion B and the area ofthe third colored portion C are, respectively, reduced by amountscorresponding to the areas of the triangular first colored extensionportions AA1 and AA2. This structure, in which the triangular firstcolored extension portions AA1 and AA2, respectively, extend into thesecond colored portion B and the third colored portion C as indicated bythe arrows AAA1 and AAA2, is a characteristic according to some of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention.

In this document, the term “color(ed)” refers not only to a propertyrelated a color but also to a woven pattern, a texture, a weavingmethod, and a type of fabric woven from decorative yarn, lame yarn, orspecial yarn, and the like. For example, the terminology different colorencompasses not only two different frequencies or wavelengths of light,but also different patterns or arrangements of multiple colors, as wellas other visually differences due to woven patterns, textures, weavingmethods, fabric types and/or the like.

In the preferred embodiments, the narrow blade 3 is sewn to the biassewn portion 6 of the wide blade 2. Preferably, the narrow blade 3 isformed by sewing a piece of cloth that has a substantially pen-nib likeshape, that includes an inversely-bias-cut portion, that has a widthsmaller that that of a piece of cloth for the wide blade 2, and that hasa portion corresponding to the second end 1 b of the necktie 1 (i.e.,the tip end in the Y direction shown in FIG. 1). In some preferredimplementations of the example shown in FIG. 1, the third coloredportion C of the narrow blade 3 has the same color as the second coloredportion B. In the preferred embodiments, the necktie 1 is formed bysewing the narrow blade 3 to the wide blade 2. In this example, thecolor of the first colored portion A differs from that of the secondcolored portion B and the third colored portion C. Alternatively (notshown), the color of the first colored portion A, the color of thesecond colored portion B, and the color of the third colored portion Ccan differ from one another. Further, alternatively, the color of thesecond colored portion B can differ from the color of the third coloredportion C, irrespective of the color of the first colored portion A.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, an example of a preferred method of tying(e.g., for wearing) the necktie 1 according to the present inventionwill be described. In this preferred method, FIG. 2 illustrates aninitial step of the method in which the necktie 1 is initially placedaround a user's neck (not shown) and the triangle vertex 5 b, which isat the other end of the knot portion 5, is placed on a center line Z.The center line Z, which is shown in FIG. 2 by a chain (dashed) line ona front surface 3 a, extends from an inner end to a free end (i.e., thesecond end 1 b) of the narrow blade 3. The longitudinal (also referredto herein as vertical) position of the narrow blade 3 along the centerline z is determined with consideration of the user's way of tying thenecktie 1, the length of the narrow blade 3, the size of the user'sneck, the length of the necktie 1 (the wide and narrow blades 2 and 3)when the necktie 1 is worn, the pattern on the knot portion 5, and thelike. The triangle vertex 5 b can be located at any position on thecenter line Z of the narrow blade 3.

Positioning the other end (i.e., the triangle vertex 5 b) of the knotportion 5 on the center line Z in this way serves to formalize themethod of tying the necktie 1. Moreover, unsuccessful tying of thenecktie 1 (e.g., imbalance between the lengths of the wide and narrowblades 2 and 3) can be avoided.

As described below, in this example, it is possible to observe thedifference between the color of the first colored portion A of the knotportion 5 and the color of the second colored portion B of the wideblade 2 and the third colored portion C of the narrow blade 3. Asdescribed above, although it is not illustrated, the color of the secondcolored portion B of the wide blade 2 can be different from that of thethird colored portion C of the narrow blade 3. FIG. 3 is an enlargedperspective view of FIG. 2, which is provided for ease of understanding.

Subsequently, in a further step as illustrated in FIG. 4, the knotportion 5 is placed on a back surface 3 b of the narrow blade 3, and thewide blade 2 is extended outward (e.g., leftward in the example shown inFIG. 4). Next, in a further step as illustrated in FIG. 5, the wideblade 2, which has been extended outward, is returned toward the narrowblade 3, the knot portion 5 is wound around the narrow blade 3 from theback surface 3 b toward the front surface 3 a of the narrow blade 3, andthe wide blade 2 is placed under the neck-surrounding portion 500.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows the necktie 1 in a stepsubsequent to that shown in FIG. 5, a part of the wide blade 2 isinserted into the knot portion 5, which has been wound around the narrowblade 3. In this regard, FIG. 6 shows the necktie 1 in a state prior tobeing worn around the neck so as to form a simple knot.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, which shows the necktie 1 in a stepsubsequent to that shown in FIG. 6, substantially the entirety of thewide blade 2 is inserted into and through the knot portion 5, which hasbeen wound around the narrow blade 3. In this regard, FIG. 7 shows thenecktie 1 in a state after being tied and worn around the neck. In thisexample, it is possible to observe the difference between the color ofthe first colored portion A of the knot portion 5 and the color of thesecond colored portion B of the wide blade 2 and the third coloredportion C of the narrow blade 3. Moreover, as described above, as shownin FIG. 7 the knot portion 5 looks voluminous, a second accent and asecond point connected to the wide blade 2 are provided (e.g., by virtueof the observable difference in the knot portion), and/or a strongaccent is provided (e.g., by virtue of the observable difference in theknot portion). As a result, the commercial value and the design of thenecktie 1 are improved (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

By modifying the method of tying the necktie 1, it is possible to placea triangular pattern of the triangle vertex 5 a (or 5 b) on a lowerportion, a front portion, or an upper portion of the knot portion 5 (notshown).

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view illustrating a regular state in whichthe necktie 1 has been tied and is worn by a person wearing a dressshirt D according to some illustrative embodiments. FIG. 9 is aschematic front view illustrating a dressed-up state in which thenecktie 1 is worn by a person wearing a suit E and a dress shirt Daccording to some illustrative embodiments. The necktie 1 can beloosened around the neck by moving the knot portion 5 toward the end ofthe wide blade 2. Subsequently, it is preferable that the necktie 1 beuntied in a way opposite to the tying method described above.

With the pattern and the form of the knot portion 5 described above, auser can match the necktie 1 with any conditions, such as, e.g., thecolor, the pattern, the shape, and the way of wearing the suit E and thedress shirt D, as well as the occasion, the place, the time, and theatmosphere of wearing the necktie 1.

Broad Scope of the Invention:

The structures described above are those of preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. The present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above and a structure that is partially modifiedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention and a structure that canachieve the same characteristics and the advantages, and the like areincluded in the scope of present invention. While illustrativeembodiments of the invention have been described herein, the presentinvention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments describedherein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated bythose in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in theclaims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed inthe claims and not limited to examples described in the presentspecification or during the prosecution of the application, whichexamples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in thepresent disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means“preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during theprosecution of this application, means-plus-function orstep-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for aspecific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present inthat limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) acorresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, materialor acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosureand during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “presentinvention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or moreaspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention orinvention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification ofcriticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across allaspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the presentinvention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not beimproperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application orclaims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of thisapplication, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe anyaspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or anyportion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may includeoverlapping features. In this disclosure, the following abbreviatedterminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A necktie, comprising: a wide blade; a narrowblade; and a knot portion that connects the wide blade and the narrowblade to each other, wherein a first colored portion of the knot portionhas a structure different from a structure of a second colored portionof the wide blade or a structure of a third colored portion of thenarrow blade, wherein the first colored portion includes first coloredextension portions at both ends thereof, the first colored extensionportions respectively extending into the second colored portion and thethird colored portion such as to form triangular shapes, and wherein atriangle vertex of one of the first colored extension portions on thenarrow blade side is positionable on a center line of the narrow blade.2. The necktie according to claim 1, wherein the necktie is configuredto be tied by positioning the triangle vertex of the first coloredextension portion on the narrow blade side on the center line of thenarrow blade.
 3. The necktie according to claim 1, wherein the firstcolored portion and the second colored portion have different colors,different woven patterns, or combinations of different colors anddifferent woven patterns, or the first colored portion and the secondcolored portions are made from different types of fabric.
 4. The necktieaccording to claim 1, wherein the triangular shape of the one of thefirst colored extension portions extending into the third coloredportion is positioned in a vicinity of a bias sewn portion that connectsa neck-surrounding portion and the narrow blade to each other.
 5. Thenecktie according to claim 1, wherein one of the first colored extensionportions has a triangle vertex at one end of the first colored portionextending into the second colored portion towards a first end of thenecktie and the other of the first colored extension portions has atriangle vertex at the other end of the first colored portion extendinginto the third colored portion towards the other end of the necktie. 6.A method of tying the necktie according to claim 1, comprising:positioning the triangle vertex of one of the first colored extensionportions on the narrow blade side along a center line of the narrowblade.
 7. The method of tying the necktie according to claim 6, furthercomprising: tying the necktie around the neck of a user with adifference between the color of the first colored portion of the knotportion and the color of the second colored portion of the wide bladeobservable to create a voluminous appearance or accent by virtue of theobservable difference in the knot portion.